Plan a flight · Sun 8:27 pm EDT (00:27 UTC)

Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International to Des Moines International ATL → DSM

646 nautical miles (743 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 320°, about 325° magnetic at the departure end (variation 5W). At 120 knots that is 5 h 56 min at the quickest height in today's winds (4,500 ft, a 11-knot headwind), arriving about 1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now ATL is VFR, wind from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots; DSM is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 9 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 2,509 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.

The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words

Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of

AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Near the route, at the departure end.
AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the route from 109 to 209 nm out.
AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 119 nm along the route.

A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from ATL.

Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first

B752 descending, 0 nm west, 7:03 pm EDT (23:03 UTC): remarks: final runway 26R atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2303/FLDURD/TP B752/SK BASES 031 TOPS 045/RM FINAL RWY 26R ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
23:03 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B752
Sky
bases 3,100 ft tops 4,500 ft
Remarks
final runway 26R atl
B739 descending, 0 nm west, 6:38 pm EDT (22:38 UTC): a broken layer above 3,200 ft, remarks: final runway 28 atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2238/FLDURD/TP B739/SK BKN032/RM FINAL RWY 28 ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
22:38 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B739
Sky
a broken layer from 3,200 ft
Remarks
final runway 28 atl
C55B at 3,000 ft, 31 nm northeast, 6:29 pm EDT (22:29 UTC): a routine report with nothing remarked on. At the departure end, 31 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LZU UA /OV 070010/TM 2229/FL030/TP C55B/SK BASE030
```
Report
a routine report filed through LZU
Where
wind from 070° at 10 knots
Time
22:29 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
C55B
Sky
BASE030
RV5 at 3,000 ft, 48 nm east, 5:55 pm EDT (21:55 UTC): overcast above 3,500 ft, remarks: during the descent. At the departure end, 48 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
AHN UA /OV 52A/TM 2155/FL030/TP RV5/SK OVC 035/RM DURD
```
Report
a routine report filed through AHN
Where
over 52A
Time
21:55 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
RV5
Sky
overcast from 3,500 ft
Remarks
during the descent
B717 descending, 0 nm west, 5:42 pm EDT (21:42 UTC): 18 °C, wind 284° at 15 knots, remarks: final runway 27L atl. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV ATL/TM 2142/FLDURD/TP B717/SK BASES 030/TA 18/WV 284/15/RM FINAL RWY 27L ATL
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
over ATL
Time
21:42 UTC
Height
during the descent
Aircraft
B717
Sky
bases 3,000 ft
Temperature
18 °C
Wind
284/15
Remarks
final runway 27L atl
FA7X at 41,000 ft, 49 nm southwest, 5:41 pm EDT (21:41 UTC): light chop turbulence above 41,000 ft, remarks: ztlfd. At the departure end, 49 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
LGC UA /OV LGC085005/TM 2141/FL410/TP FA7X/TB OCNL LGT CHOP 410/RM ZTLFD
```
Report
a routine report filed through LGC
Where
5 nm east (085°) of LGC
Time
21:41 UTC
Height
at 41,000 ft
Aircraft
FA7X
Turbulence
occasional light chop at 41,000 ft
Remarks
ztlfd
A320 at 37,000 ft, 0 nm west, 5:36 pm EDT (21:36 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-27. At the departure end, 0 nm west of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
ATL UA /OV GSU180035/TM 2136/FL370/TP A320/TB LGT CHOP/RM ZTLFD-27
```
Report
a routine report filed through ATL
Where
35 nm south (180°) of GSU
Time
21:36 UTC
Height
at 37,000 ft
Aircraft
A320
Turbulence
light chop
Remarks
ZTLFD-27
B712 at 3,000 ft, 23 nm northeast, 7:13 pm EDT (23:13 UTC): scattered clouds from 3,000 ft to 3,200 ft; clear from 3,200 ft to 60,000 ft. 89 nm along the route, 23 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA180005/TM 2313/FL030/TP B712/SK SCT030-TOP032/SKC
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
5 nm south (180°) of CHA
Time
23:13 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
B712
Sky
SCT030-TOP032 C
CRJ9 at 3,000 ft, 25 nm northeast, 6:51 pm EDT (22:51 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 89 nm along the route, 25 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV 090005/TM 2251/FL030/TP CRJ9/SK OVC030-TOP040
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
wind from 090° at 5 knots
Time
22:51 UTC
Height
at 3,000 ft
Aircraft
CRJ9
Sky
overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
T206 at 9,000 ft, 34 nm northeast, 6:47 pm EDT (22:47 UTC): remarks: ZME60. 119 nm along the route, 34 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CHA UA /OV CHA340032/TM 2247/FL090/TP T206/SK TOP070/RM ZME60
```
Report
a routine report filed through CHA
Where
32 nm north (340°) of CHA
Time
22:47 UTC
Height
at 9,000 ft
Aircraft
T206
Sky
TOP070
Remarks
ZME60
P28A at 2,100 ft, 15 nm northeast, 5:33 pm EDT (21:33 UTC): remarks: base 2,100 ft. 179 nm along the route, 15 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
MQY UA /OV MQY/TM 2133/FL021/TP P28A/RM BASE 021
```
Report
a routine report filed through MQY
Where
over MQY
Time
21:33 UTC
Height
at 2,100 ft
Aircraft
P28A
Remarks
base 2,100 ft
A319 at 32,000 ft, 12 nm northeast, 6:56 pm EDT (22:56 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME62. 209 nm along the route, 12 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315020/TM 2256/FL320/TP A319/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME62
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
20 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
22:56 UTC
Height
at 32,000 ft
Aircraft
A319
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
ZME62
B77W at 31,000 ft, 11 nm northeast, 7:27 pm EDT (23:27 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 219 nm along the route, 11 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
BNA UA /OV BNA315030/TM 2327/FL310/TP B77W/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through BNA
Where
30 nm northwest (315°) of BNA
Time
23:27 UTC
Height
at 31,000 ft
Aircraft
B77W
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme
B738 at 34,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 7:41 pm EDT (23:41 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: zme. 228 nm along the route, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
```
CKV UA /OV CKV/TM 2341/FL340/TP B738/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP/RM ZME
```
Report
a routine report filed through CKV
Where
over CKV
Time
23:41 UTC
Height
at 34,000 ft
Aircraft
B738
Turbulence
continuous light occasional moderate chop
Remarks
zme

2 more routine reports are on the map.

Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed

The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 8 forecast points nearest it (ATL, HSV, BNA, EVV, CGI, STL, BRL, DSM). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.

Height	Average wind	Head- or tailwind	Temperature	Ground speed	Time en route	Arrival
4,500 ft	280° at 13 kt	+11 kt		109 kt	5 h 56 min	1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC)
6,500 ft	300° at 20 kt	+19 kt	15 °C	101 kt	6 h 24 min	1:51 am CDT (06:51 UTC)
8,500 ft	300° at 22 kt	+22 kt	11 °C	98 kt	6 h 36 min	2:03 am CDT (07:03 UTC)
10,500 ft	310° at 25 kt	+25 kt	8 °C	95 kt	6 h 48 min	2:15 am CDT (07:15 UTC)
12,500 ft	310° at 27 kt	+27 kt	4 °C	93 kt	6 h 57 min	2:24 am CDT (07:24 UTC)
14,500 ft	310° at 26 kt	+26 kt	0 °C	94 kt	6 h 52 min	2:19 am CDT (07:19 UTC)
16,500 ft	310° at 25 kt	+25 kt	-4 °C	95 kt	6 h 48 min	2:15 am CDT (07:15 UTC)
18,000 ft FL180	310° at 25 kt	+25 kt	-7 °C	95 kt	6 h 48 min	2:15 am CDT (07:15 UTC)
24,000 ft FL240	320° at 26 kt	+26 kt	-18 °C	94 kt	6 h 52 min	2:19 am CDT (07:19 UTC)
30,000 ft FL300	320° at 42 kt	+42 kt	-34 °C	78 kt	8 h 17 min	3:44 am CDT (08:44 UTC)
34,000 ft FL340	320° at 51 kt	+51 kt	-42 °C	69 kt	9 h 22 min	4:49 am CDT (09:49 UTC)
39,000 ft FL390	310° at 49 kt	+49 kt	-50 °C	71 kt	9 h 06 min	4:33 am CDT (09:33 UTC)

Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.

The forecast points as issued

Point	From	3,000	6,000	9,000	12,000	18,000	24,000	30,000	34,000	39,000
ATL	used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line	300/23	320/26 14°	320/34 10°	320/41 5°	290/32 -6°	290/31 -18°	280/28 -33°	260/32 -41°	250/28 -50°
HSV	used from 50 nm out; 68 nm from the line	290/15	330/34 16°	330/38 11°	330/40 5°	320/36 -7°	320/31 -18°	320/44 -34°	330/53 -41°	330/34 -48°
BNA	used from 149 nm out; 18 nm from the line	280/13	340/34 16°	330/38 10°	330/44 5°	330/39 -8°	330/38 -19°	320/49 -34°	330/53 -40°	330/35 -47°
EVV	used from 248 nm out; 65 nm from the line	310/13	340/26 16°	330/29 10°	330/32 4°	330/30 -9°	340/38 -20°	330/60 -35°	320/57 -41°	330/39 -48°
CGI	used from 298 nm out; 46 nm from the line	250/10	290/12 17°	290/18 11°	300/22 5°	320/25 -8°	330/30 -18°	320/53 -33°	320/66 -42°	320/56 -50°
STL	used from 348 nm out; 49 nm from the line	210/13	260/16 17°	270/21 10°	280/24 5°	310/20 -7°	320/22 -18°	320/44 -33°	320/59 -43°	310/69 -51°
BRL	used from 497 nm out; 51 nm from the line	200/20	250/21 16°	240/22 10°	260/20 5°	270/16 -7°	290/22 -18°	320/41 -34°	320/56 -43°	310/68 -53°
DSM	used from 596 nm out; 25 nm from the line	200/32	240/27 17°	260/19 10°	260/16 5°	260/19 -7°	240/22 -19°	270/20 -32°	270/38 -42°	290/58 -53°

The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch

Airport	Where	Conditions	Wind	Visibility	Ceiling	Elevation	Reported
ATL Atlanta, GA	departure	VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 2,800 feet	from the west-northwest (300°) at 8 knots	10+ mi	none	1,026 ft	8:20 pm EDT (00:20 UTC)
RYY Atlanta, GA	20 nm out, 9 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: scattered clouds at 1,400 feet, a broken layer at 2,800 feet	from the west (270°) at 10 knots	10+ mi	2,800 ft	1,040 ft	23:50 UTC
CHA Chattanooga, TN	89 nm out, 25 nm northeast of the line, tower	marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,300 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet	from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	2,300 ft	682 ft	23:53 UTC
BNA Nashville, TN	189 nm out, 14 nm northeast of the line, tower	VFR Sky: a few clouds at 2,400 feet	variable at 3 knots	10+ mi	none	599 ft	23:53 UTC
JWN Nashville, TN	199 nm out, 9 nm east of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	501 ft	23:50 UTC
PAH Paducah, KY	298 nm out, 24 nm southwest of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	410 ft	00:00 UTC
MWA Marion, IL	338 nm out, 6 nm south of the line, tower	VFR	from the south (190°) at 4 knots	10+ mi	none	471 ft	00:15 UTC
BLV Belleville, IL	397 nm out, 3 nm southeast of the line, tower	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	459 ft	23:55 UTC
HAE Hannibal, MO	497 nm out, 5 nm southwest of the line	VFR	calm	10+ mi	none	768 ft	23:35 UTC
OXV Knoxville, IA	616 nm out, 8 nm northeast of the line	VFR	from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots	10+ mi	none	928 ft	00:15 UTC
DSM Des Moines, IA	destination	VFR Sky: a broken layer at 20,000 feet	from the south (170°) at 9 knots	10+ mi	20,000 ft	957 ft	6:54 pm CDT (23:54 UTC)

The highest airport on this list sits at 1,040 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.

At DSM when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 1:23 am CDT (06:23 UTC)

Wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR

The whole forecast for DSM

From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
From Sun 10:00 pm CDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the south at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, low-level wind shear, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm CDT (17:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 19, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet

The forecast for ATL, the departure

From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 10 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 4,000 feet
From Sun 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
From Mon 12:00 pm EDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 10 knots, gusting to 20, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
From Mon 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies

Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it

6/8693 Atlanta, GA, Sunday, October 11, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 UTC 6 nm from the route, at the departure end · drones kept away from a public gathering · until 12 October · ZTL
6/0708 Goodlettsville, TN, Saturday, August 1, 2026 through Sunday, August 1, 2027 UTC 21 nm from the route, 199 nm along the route · security · until 1 August · ZME

Daylight

Sunset at ATL 7:07 pm EDT (23:07 UTC), at DSM 6:40 pm CDT (23:40 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:07 pm CDT (00:07 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at DSM is before sunrise there (7:23 am CDT (12:23 UTC)).

Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.

Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads

Radar now, the Southeast · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the lower Mississippi valley · loop National Weather Service

Radar now, the central Great Lakes · loop National Weather Service

Radar, the whole country · loop National Weather Service

Surface analysis now Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 12 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Forecast chart, 24 hours ahead Weather Prediction Center

Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International, Des Moines International.